Retailers embrace refillable products to combat plastic waste

A new European regulation mandates that stores allocate 10% of their sales space to bulk and refillable products, reflecting a growing commitment to reduce plastic consumption. This initiative is expected to have a lasting impact on shopping habits and the environment.

Simona Fîrtat, director of communication for a cosmetics manufacturer, highlights the advantages of refillable products. Their packaging is simpler and lighter, which contributes to a reduced environmental footprint during transportation compared to traditional products.

For consumers, the financial benefits of opting for refillable options are also significant. A two-liter bottle of detergent typically costs between 20 to 30 lei, while bringing your own container can lower the price to just 12 lei. In comparison, refillable products in similar quantities are priced around 68 lei, compared to over 90 lei for items in their original packaging, saving shoppers over 20 lei.

Felician Cardoș, environmental manager at a hypermarket, notes that since the beginning of the year, about 60,000 liters of refillable products have been sold. The initiative is gaining traction, especially with the largest retailers, who will need to comply with the new space allocation requirement by 2030.

Furthermore, the regulation enforces transparency in pricing, requiring retailers to display the price per liter for both refillable and original packaged goods. For example, while a reserve costs 23.99 lei per liter, the same product in its original packaging is slightly cheaper at 20.3 lei per liter, emphasizing the ongoing push for sustainable shopping choices.